Russell BRIC Index: Energy Sector Outperforms Amid Negative Returns

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire) - The Russell BRIC Index posted a year-to-date loss of 0.7% through March 7, 2011, showing relative weakness this year after a 14.1% return for 2010.

Among the sectors of the Russell BRIC Index, energy, which was the worst-performing sector in 2010, is currently leading the index with a year-to-date gain of 7.7%. Technology (2.7%) is the only other sector reflecting a positive year-to-date return through March 7, 2011. The health care sector, the second highest performer of 2010, is currently the worst-performing sector of the index with a year-to-date loss of 9.8%.

Russell Indexes

2010

YTD through March 7, 2011

Russell BRIC Index

14.1%

-0.7%

Russell BRIC Index Sectors

2010

YTD through March 7, 2011

Energy

5.3%

7.7%

Technology

29.0%

2.7%

Materials & Processing

18.5%

-0.2%

Utilities

11.0%

-0.5%

Financial Services

11.3%

-4.1%

Consumer Staples

30.4%

-5.5%

Consumer Discretionary

22.1%

-6.4%

Producer Durables

14.9%

-7.3%

Health Care

30.3%

-9.8%

The Russell Global Index includes more than 10,000 securities in 61 countries and covers 98% of the investable global market. All securities in the benchmark are classified according to size, region, country and sector. Daily Returns for the main components are available here: http://www.russell.com/indexes/data/daily_total_returns_global.asp

Notes:Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested in directly. Returns represent past performance, are not a guarantee of future performance, and are not indicative of any specific investment. Russell's publication of the Indexes or Index constituents in no way suggests or implies a representation or opinion by Russell as to the attractiveness of investing in a particular security. Inclusion of a security in an Index is not a promotion, sponsorship or endorsement of a security by Russell and Russell makes no representation, warranty or guarantee with respect to the performance of any security included in a Russell Index.

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